Tuscany Cycling Grand Tour

Discover one of the most well known Italian regions, Tuscany. Famous for its cities rich in art, for its wines, and for the warm welcome you get from its inhabitants - a perfect combination of emotions, scents and traditions all ready to be discovered by bike. Cycle into the heart of Tuscany visting Sienna, Florence, San Gimignano, famous for its towers, and Pisa. Also explore the "road of wines", the production area of the famous Chianti.

Day 1: Florence
Individual arrival in Florence a true jewel of the medieval and Renaissance art, one of the most important throughout the world. Overnight in Florence.

Day 2: Florence to Greve in Chianti
Your adventure starts with a ride through the heart of the Tuscany, a land rich in art, scents and traditions. Leave Florence and head to Impruneta, the caretaker city of the terracotta art, here you can visit ancient villas and the Basilica. Continue on to Mercatale, a small town surrounded by the Chianti hills. Rest here while you taste wine and other local products at the wine cellar in Palagio castle. Overnight in Greve in Chianti (standard cat) or Greve countryside (Deluxe cat.).

Distance approx 25 miles (40 km) ↑ 2198 ft (670 m) ↓ 1640 ft (500 m).

Day 3: Greve in Chianti to Radda in Chianti
Discover one of the best know Tuscan areas: "the road of wines". Leave Greve with its irregular, triangular shaped, public square which is still an important exchange point. Continue through the fortified medieval village of Montefioralle dominating Greve and then, after the splendid village of Panzano, you arrive in Radda in Chianti. Situated between Florence and Siena this Classic Chianti countryside, is hilly, varied and colourful. Here the famous wine was born during the Etruscan age. In Radda in Chianti, admire the Pretorio Palace and the remains of its walls and of the medieval towers. Overnight in hotel Radda in Chianti countryside (standard cat.) / Radda village (Deluxe cat.).

Distance approx 19 miles (31 km) ↑ 2297 ft (700 m) ↓ 1772 ft (540 m).

Day 4: Radda in Chianti to Siena
Today the tour moves from Radda in Chianti to Siena. The first stop is Meleto’s Castle, an ancient fortification transformed into a magnificent typical Tuscan villa. Cycle through the fortified village of Castagnoli to the famous Castle of Brolio. Here you can sample wine in the Ricasoli cellar. In the afternoon you reach Siena, famous for its Palio (a horse race held twice a year in July and August). Siena is full of some of the most remarkable monuments, Piazza del Campo and the Public Palace, Buonsignori Palace with the National Pinacoteca (where you can admire pictures of Duccio, Lorenzetti, S. Martini etc), the Cathedral built from the XII sec and covered from white and dark-green marble, the Piccolomini Library, the Baptistry and the Museum of the Metropolitan Work. Overnight in Siena.

Day 5: Siena to Colle Val d’Elsa
Cycle from Siena through low hills and tiny villages such as Sovicille. The ancient Francigena Way flanks the Mount Maggio and cycling along it you can see Monteriggioni’s castle, with its "cerchia tonda" (circular walls) of approximately 570 m in diameter. Arriving in Abbadia a “Isola”,(Island Abbey). This small medieval village was built around the Cistercian Abbey of San Salvatore, which was founded here in the tenth century. Abbadia a “Isola” was an important place for pilgrims to rest along the Francigena Way. Continue onto Colle Val d' Elsa, the so called "Italy’s Boemia". It has seen a great development from 1400 when, taking advantage of the engine force of river Elsa, a flourishing production of glass began. Today, Colle di Val d'Elsa is internationally renowned for the production of crystal glassware and art (15% of world production). Take time to explore the town and maybe visit the handicraft laboratory of crystal manufacture. Overnight in Colle Val d’Elsa.

Distance approx 17 miles (27 km) ↑ 558 ft (170 m) ↓ 1181 ft (360 m).

Day 6: Colle Val d’Elsa to Volterra
From Colle val d’Elsa cycle to San Gimignano. The town, up on a hill, dominates the Val d' Elsa and is a fine example of a well-preserved Medieval city; its fame is mostly due to the numerous towers still adorning it and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village, locked up in its walls, consists of two axes that are intersected to cross: from east to the long west the axis that goes from the Hill of the Tower to the Hill of Montestaffoli, from north to long south the axis that goes from Saint Giovanni Door to Saint Matteo Door and here the Francigena Way passes through. Arrival in Volterra is in the late afternoon. A city with 3000 years of history, Volterra is also well known for its laboratories where alabaster is worked. You can also visit the Acropoli, the roman theatre and the walls around the historical centre. Overnight in Volterra.

Day 7: Volterra to Pisa
Leave Volterra for Ghizzano, a village encircled by vineyards. After approximately 2 hours cycling you reach Calcinaia. Calcinaia was founded before the year 1000 on the right bank of the Arno River as Vico Vitri. A few kilometres more you arrive in Pontedera from where you transfer by train to Pisa with its leaning Tower. Overnight in Pisa.Distance approx 54 km (33.5 miles) ↑ 459 ft (140 m) ↓ 2067 ft (630 m).

Day 8: Pisa
The tour ends after breakfast with free time to visit the city, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the famous leaning Tower.

Global height of the tour: Between 100 and 550 mt a.s.l., average duration of the stages: from 27 to 54 km per day.Roads: 70% asphalted, few country roads not asphaltedDuration: 8 days / 7 nights2019 Departures: Saturdays from April until OctoberNumber of participants: Minimum 2Luggage transport: Yes

By Air –Florence airport (FLR) is called Amerigo Vespucci and is situated on the north-west outskirts of Florence, just 4 km from the city centre. The centre can be reached in about 15 minutes by taxi, and in about 20 minutes with the Busitalia SITA Nord "Vola in Bus" bus shuttle operating between the airport and the central railway station of Santa Maria Novella that you can take to the central Santa Maria Novella train station (SMN). It takes about 20 minutes. The service runs daily, including Sundays and holidays.

Departures from the airport are every 30 min between 5.30 am to 8.30 pm, then every hour until 11.45 pm. The last shuttle is at 1am.

Departures from the city center (SMN train station) are every 30 min between 5.00 am to 8.00 pm, then every hour up until 11.00 pm. The last shuttle is at 12:30am.

Day 1: Florence
Individual arrival in Florence a true jewel of the medieval and Renaissance art, one of the most important throughout the world. Overnight in Florence.

Day 2: Florence to Greve in Chianti
Your adventure starts with a ride through the heart of the Tuscany, a land rich in art, scents and traditions. Leave Florence and head to Impruneta, the caretaker city of the terracotta art, here you can visit ancient villas and the Basilica. Continue on to Mercatale, a small town surrounded by the Chianti hills. Rest here while you taste wine and other local products at the wine cellar in Palagio castle. Overnight in Greve in Chianti (standard cat) or Greve countryside (Deluxe cat.).

Distance approx 25 miles (40 km) ↑ 2198 ft (670 m) ↓ 1640 ft (500 m).

Day 3: Greve in Chianti to Radda in Chianti
Discover one of the best know Tuscan areas: "the road of wines". Leave Greve with its irregular, triangular shaped, public square which is still an important exchange point. Continue through the fortified medieval village of Montefioralle dominating Greve and then, after the splendid village of Panzano, you arrive in Radda in Chianti. Situated between Florence and Siena this Classic Chianti countryside, is hilly, varied and colourful. Here the famous wine was born during the Etruscan age. In Radda in Chianti, admire the Pretorio Palace and the remains of its walls and of the medieval towers. Overnight in hotel Radda in Chianti countryside (standard cat.) / Radda village (Deluxe cat.).

Distance approx 19 miles (31 km) ↑ 2297 ft (700 m) ↓ 1772 ft (540 m).

Day 4: Radda in Chianti to Siena
Today the tour moves from Radda in Chianti to Siena. The first stop is Meleto’s Castle, an ancient fortification transformed into a magnificent typical Tuscan villa. Cycle through the fortified village of Castagnoli to the famous Castle of Brolio. Here you can sample wine in the Ricasoli cellar. In the afternoon you reach Siena, famous for its Palio (a horse race held twice a year in July and August). Siena is full of some of the most remarkable monuments, Piazza del Campo and the Public Palace, Buonsignori Palace with the National Pinacoteca (where you can admire pictures of Duccio, Lorenzetti, S. Martini etc), the Cathedral built from the XII sec and covered from white and dark-green marble, the Piccolomini Library, the Baptistry and the Museum of the Metropolitan Work. Overnight in Siena.

Day 5: Siena to Colle Val d’Elsa
Cycle from Siena through low hills and tiny villages such as Sovicille. The ancient Francigena Way flanks the Mount Maggio and cycling along it you can see Monteriggioni’s castle, with its "cerchia tonda" (circular walls) of approximately 570 m in diameter. Arriving in Abbadia a “Isola”,(Island Abbey). This small medieval village was built around the Cistercian Abbey of San Salvatore, which was founded here in the tenth century. Abbadia a “Isola” was an important place for pilgrims to rest along the Francigena Way. Continue onto Colle Val d' Elsa, the so called "Italy’s Boemia". It has seen a great development from 1400 when, taking advantage of the engine force of river Elsa, a flourishing production of glass began. Today, Colle di Val d'Elsa is internationally renowned for the production of crystal glassware and art (15% of world production). Take time to explore the town and maybe visit the handicraft laboratory of crystal manufacture. Overnight in Colle Val d’Elsa.

Distance approx 17 miles (27 km) ↑ 558 ft (170 m) ↓ 1181 ft (360 m).

Day 6: Colle Val d’Elsa to Volterra
From Colle val d’Elsa cycle to San Gimignano. The town, up on a hill, dominates the Val d' Elsa and is a fine example of a well-preserved Medieval city; its fame is mostly due to the numerous towers still adorning it and has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage site. The village, locked up in its walls, consists of two axes that are intersected to cross: from east to the long west the axis that goes from the Hill of the Tower to the Hill of Montestaffoli, from north to long south the axis that goes from Saint Giovanni Door to Saint Matteo Door and here the Francigena Way passes through. Arrival in Volterra is in the late afternoon. A city with 3000 years of history, Volterra is also well known for its laboratories where alabaster is worked. You can also visit the Acropoli, the roman theatre and the walls around the historical centre. Overnight in Volterra.

Day 7: Volterra to Pisa
Leave Volterra for Ghizzano, a village encircled by vineyards. After approximately 2 hours cycling you reach Calcinaia. Calcinaia was founded before the year 1000 on the right bank of the Arno River as Vico Vitri. A few kilometres more you arrive in Pontedera from where you transfer by train to Pisa with its leaning Tower. Overnight in Pisa.Distance approx 54 km (33.5 miles) ↑ 459 ft (140 m) ↓ 2067 ft (630 m).

Day 8: Pisa
The tour ends after breakfast with free time to visit the city, the Cathedral, the Baptistery and the famous leaning Tower.

Global height of the tour: Between 100 and 550 mt a.s.l., average duration of the stages: from 27 to 54 km per day.Roads: 70% asphalted, few country roads not asphaltedDuration: 8 days / 7 nights2019 Departures: Saturdays from April until OctoberNumber of participants: Minimum 2Luggage transport: Yes

Florence
Siena
San Gimignano
Volterra
Pisa
The Chianti region and of the Val d’Elsa.
Villages in the Chianti region including Greve, and Radda in Chianti
Brolio, Castagnoli and Meleto castles

By Air –Florence airport (FLR) is called Amerigo Vespucci and is situated on the north-west outskirts of Florence, just 4 km from the city centre. The centre can be reached in about 15 minutes by taxi, and in about 20 minutes with the Busitalia SITA Nord "Vola in Bus" bus shuttle operating between the airport and the central railway station of Santa Maria Novella that you can take to the central Santa Maria Novella train station (SMN). It takes about 20 minutes. The service runs daily, including Sundays and holidays.

Departures from the airport are every 30 min between 5.30 am to 8.30 pm, then every hour until 11.45 pm. The last shuttle is at 1am.

Departures from the city center (SMN train station) are every 30 min between 5.00 am to 8.00 pm, then every hour up until 11.00 pm. The last shuttle is at 12:30am.

Tuscany Cycling Grand Tour Standard Hotel

This cycling tour allows you to discover one of the most well known Italian regions, Tuscany. Famous for its wines, its cities rich in art and the warm welcome you get from its inhabitants: perfectly combined emotions, scents and traditions all ready to be discovered by bike. Cycle from Piazza della Signoria to Piazza dei Miracoli passing Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra. After a short visit of Florence, the first part of the tour brings you in the heart of Tuscany, along the "road of wines", the production area of the famous Chianti, where you can take a break and have tastings in the numerous local wine cellars. After Siena the tour continues towards Colle Val d' Elsa, the "Bohemia of Italy", then San Gimignano, famous for its towers , and Volterra, the city of the alabaster. Finally you enter Pisa with its leaning Tower.

Tuscany Cycling Grand Tour Deluxe Hotels

This cycling tour allows you to discover one of the most well known Italian regions, Tuscany. Famous for its wines, its cities rich in art and the warm welcome you get from its inhabitants: perfectly combined emotions, scents and traditions all ready to be discovered by bike. Cycle from Piazza della Signoria to Piazza dei Miracoli passing Siena, San Gimignano, Volterra. After a short visit of Florence, the first part of the tour brings you in the heart of Tuscany, along the "road of wines", the production area of the famous Chianti, where you can take a break and have tastings in the numerous local wine cellars. After Siena the tour continues towards Colle Val d' Elsa, the "Bohemia of Italy", then San Gimignano, famous for its towers , and Volterra, the city of the alabaster. Finally you enter Pisa with its leaning Tower.